8th Air Force

Misc

General Arnold addresses US Army 8th Air Force personnel inside a hangar. Image stamped on reverse: 'Barratt's Photo Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 3 Sept 1943.' [stamp] and '282090.' [Censor no] Printed caption on reverse: 'American Air Forces GOC meets the "Boys" General Arnold Chief of the American Air Force, who arrived in this country yesterday, today paid a visit to a bomber station where he met members of the crews of some of the Fortresses just back from a raid. OPS: General Arnold Addressing the Squadron Personnel in one of the hangars.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Arnold gives location of LFB as Hethel.'

A P-51 Mustang (R4-E, serial number 42-106775), formerly of the 359th Fighter Group used as a formation monitor. Printed caption on reverse: '72465 USAF - North American P-51 "Mustang" with arrows indicating formation lights. These lights are used during night missions to organize formations of P-51 "Mustangs" of the 78th Fighter Group based at 8th Air Force Station F-357 in Duxford, England. 29 April 1945. U.S. Air Force Photo.'

Children with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5736) Nose Art "Tampa Tornado" of the 379th Bomb Group during a 'Kiddies Party' at Kimbolton, 2 October 1943. Printed caption on reverse: '71654 AC - A group of English children who are guests at a "Kiddies Party" given by the 379th Bomb Group gather around a Boeing B-17 at an 8th Air Force base in England. 2 October 1943.'

Jess Utz a ground crewman of a B-24 Liberator with a two seat P-51 Mustang nicknamed "Perigrine Jr" of the 479th Fighter Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Jess Utz by a 2-seat P-51. Jess was a ground crewman with B-24 outfit I sent you fotos of some time back. OC-? Photo A. Frunker. 479th F.G., 8th Air Force.'

Constituted as VIII Bomber Command on 19 Jan 1942. Activated in the US on 1 Feb 1942. An advanced detachment was established in England on 23 Feb and units began arriving from the US during the spring of 1942. The command conducted the heavy bombardment operations of Eighth AF (see US Strategic Air Forces in Europe) from 17 Aug 1942 until early in 1944. Redesignated Eighth AF on 22 Feb 1944. Afterward, engaged primarily in bombardment of strategic targets in Europe. Transferred, without personnel, equipment, and combat elements, to Okinawa on 16 Jul 1945. Although some personnel and combat units were assigned before V-J Day, the Eighth did not participate in combat against Japan. Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the US on 7 Jun 1946. Re manned and re-equipped as part of Strategic Air Command.

Military | Lieutenant General | Commanding General, 8th Air ForceCommanding General of 8th AF 1 December 1942 to 5 January 1944. Following that, Eaker was given command of all Allied air forces in the MTO, and in April 1945 became Deputy CG of the USAAF. Retired July 1947.

Military | Lieutenant General | Commanding GeneralBecame Commanding General of 12th AF September 1942; Commanding General of Northwest African Strategic Air Force March 1943; assumed command of 15th AF November 1943; Commanding General of 8th Air Force 6 January 1944 to 9 May 1945. Medal Of Honor for...

Military | Lieutenant General | Commanding General, 8th Air Force Fighter CommandFrom 1909 to 1913, Kepner served in the US Marine Corps. By 1916 he was a second lieutenant in the Indiana National Guard. After a short spell in the US cavalry, in 1917 he transferred to the infantry as a captain and commanded a company at the Battle...

Structure

CommandConstituted as VIII Ground Air Support Command on 24 April 1942, activated 28 April 1942 at Bolling Field, DC under the command of Brig Gen Robert C. Candee. Assigned to the Eighth US Army Air Force. Moved to England, without tactical components, in...

Military | Staff Sergeant | Togglier/ Bombardier | 398th Bomb GroupHe had been a waist gunner in training to take over the Bombardier role and was in the nose. A German 88 anti aircraft shell had exploded in his lap, killing him instantly. The plane with its nose blown off and up into the windshield made it back to...

Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator Gunner | 385th Bomb GroupAssigned to 551BS, 385BG, 8AF USAAF. 24 x missions. On 10 Nov '44 while circling over base to form up for a mission, the plane 'War Horse' developed an oil leak. The engine caught fire and then the plane caught fire. All the crew bailed out but the...

B-24 LiberatorWas lost on January 21,1944 mission to bomb V-weapons sites in the Pas-de-Calais, France area. Repeatedly attacked by fighters until 3 of the engines were knocked out, the co-pilot was killed and the pilot was wounded. With the co-pilot slumped over...